Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-03-29
RETURN OF COL. MARKHAM.

RETURN OF COL. MARKHAM.
His Views ON Congregational Ac
tton and N0n.Acti0m.
Colonel Il. H. MARKHAM member o
the 49th Congress from this district, re
turned home on delayed train Saturda,
night about IL o'clock. He and hi
family left the train at San Gabriel ans
took carriage for the family residenc,
at Pasadena. Yesterday he came to towr
and spent the day at his Office and il
visiting friends with " whom he has busi
ness relations. He appears 10 excellent
health, and is glad to be back to hi.
California home, with which he is more
in love than ever after his two year,
residence In Washington, ID. G.
A HERALD representative had the
pleasure Of q short interview with the
Colonel to ascertain his views concerning
the past and futnre action of Congress
on various subjects of national interest.
In regard to the question about the
standing Of the silver interest in Con.
gress, the Colonel stated that he consid-
cred the advocates of silver coinage
stronger than ever in the House of Rep
resentatives, and that there was no dan.
ger of repeal of the Bland bill. Con.
gressmen begin TO realize the absolute
necessity of regular coinage of stand.
ard silver dollars to prevent contrac.
ton of the currency aud to furnish a
medium of exchange with Asiatic ma
tions.
In regard to the Deficiency bill, that
was not agued, he said that it passed
the House by handsome majority, and
went to the Senate, which dema nded O
conference, that was accorded by the
House, but the Senators on that commit.
tee failed to attend to the matter in time
to have the bill passed and engrossed
The failure to pass this bill may work
hardship to those whose engagements
with the government were of such ma.
ture as to come under the deficiency ap.
preparation for payment of salaries or
contracts. Much of this appropriation
was needed in the mail service.
In regard to the increased appropria-
tion for the Los Angeles postoffice, he
said that he only succeeded in obtaining
an increase of $1,000 annually, although
much more was needed. Hon. A. E.
Stevenson, the First Assistant Postmas-
ter. General, realized the Importance of
increased appropriations for the postal
business of the coast, notably 1t Los
Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and
Pasadena, but the Postmaster. General
would not favor the appropriation, al.
though it was supported by the whole
delegation from the Pacific Coast.
Two postmasters at Pasadena have
been starved out by being obliged to pay
out their own salaries for clerk hire, as
was the case in the Los Angeles office.
The appropriation for increased help
in the Postoffice Department should have
been at least $3.50, 600, and have gone in
with the Civil Service Commission.
The River and Harbor bill which was
so earnestly urged by Col. Markham
provided for an appropriation of $50, 900
for San Pedro harbor; $25,OO0 for San
Luis Obispo; S62, 1000 for Oakland; ;
$4,000 for Humboldt harbor, and
$40, 600 for the Sacramento and San
Joaquin rivers, all in California. The
whole appropriation was intended to
amount to $l0,OOO,O 900 for the whole
country. He says the Democratic mem.
bers in the House stood up for the bill
to man, and that the President stated
that he did not read the bill. Further,
that had the President returned the bill
promptly it it would have been passed
over his veto at once.
In relation to the Interstate Com.
merce bill, he considered it q piece of
folly and of no advantage to produ GERS
and shippers, but of decided advantage
to the railways. Not half those who
voted for the bill clearly understood its
provisions and their significance. He
opposed the bill aud thinks it will be
repealed.
On the tariff question he says interests
are so diverse as to produce q deadlock
against any change for the present. The
next reduction of revenue he thinks
will be repeal of the internal revenue
tax on tobacco.
In relation to Ballona Harbor he feels
satisfied if the present owners succeed in
making fair harbor that Congress will
assist in its improvement and compile.
ton.
The next Congress will have from IL
to Is Democratic majority with s or 10
contested seats. The majority of the
Democratic members probably favor
of President Cleveland.
There was little or no president-mak-
ing in the past session. He spoke high.
ly of the honesty and courtesy of the
Democrats in Congress; and their devo.
tion to the interests eff the country in
stead of making campaign speeches. He
thinks Fairch Id will handle the treasur
er's portfolio with good judgment; but
Notwithstanding that pleasant financial
feature, there will quite likely be an
extra session Of Congress in the autumn.
The Colonel had SO many engagements
to meet that further interview could
not be obtoined.